i

An Endless Tragedy:

A Report on the Incidents Regarding Demonstrations in Gaza:

March 2018 to December 2018

Authors: David M. Crane, Former Chief Prosecutor, Special Court for Sierra Leone; Principal, Justice Consultancy International LLC; In association with the Global Accountability Initiative Margaret Mabie
Joseph Railey, Esq. Brandon Golfman Cover Artwork: Jeff Passetti Special Contributions from: Ken Harper Jeff Howell, Esq. Syrian Accountability Project 2018-19 Leadership: Project Leader: Professor David M. Crane Executive Director: Brandon Golfman
Deputy Director: Margaret Mabie Chief Investigator: Jasmine Greenfield Chief Editor: Courtney Griffin
Chief Registrar: Sam Buchbauer

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 5

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................ 6

APPLICABLE LAW ......................................................................................................................... 10

THE 30 MARCH 2018 POLITICAL PROTESTS ............................................................................... 14

CONFLICT MAPPING NARRATIVE ................................................................................................ 16

March ....................................................................................................................................... 16

April ......................................................................................................................................... 18

May ........................................................................................................................................... 23

June .......................................................................................................................................... 28

July ........................................................................................................................................... 30

August ...................................................................................................................................... 34

September ................................................................................................................................ 36

October..................................................................................................................................... 39

November ................................................................................................................................. 40

December ................................................................................................................................. 42

RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................... 44

CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................... 47

APPENDIX 1: CRIME BASE MATRIX ............................................................................................. 49

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report serves as an exploratory account of the violence that occurred along the border

of the Occupied Palestine Territory (“Gaza” or “Gaza Strip”) from 30 March 2018 to December

2018. Specifically, the violence that spread in March 2018 took place along the fence that separates

Gaza and the Israeli border—within the 300 meters between the Erez Crossing and the Rafah

Crossing. The report begins with a general overview of the history of conflict between the

Palestinians and the Israelis before examining in detail

what the Palestinians call “Land Day” and “Nabka Day”

as these are the historic dates that the current protests

(called the Great March of Return) are intended to

commemorate. Next, the report provides a general

overview of the violence that has resulted in more than 19,000 injuries and at least 189 deaths.

The report then provides a day-by-day analysis of the conflict in the Conflict Mapping

Narrative and accompanying Crime Base Matrix. Finally, the report concludes with the

determination that the certain conduct that took place in the during the border protests posited

questions about the line that differentiates civic protests from armed conflicts. The report

determines that under the such conduct constitutes both war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The report also recommends the condemnation of Palestine’s use of incendiary kites as the usage

of these weapons is a violation of the laws of armed conflict. The report recommends that the

individuals responsible for these crimes be prosecuted by a domestic court of competent

jurisdiction and, failing that, the United Nations Security Council should exercise its authority to

submit the matter to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in accordance with Article

13(b) of the Rome Statute.

Israel’s conduct in attempting to quell the border protests is

in violation of international

law and constitutes both war

crimes and crimes against

humanity.

5

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INTRODUCTION

On 30 March 2018, tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in protest along the border

of Gaza. While the protests were initially peaceful, conflict eventually spread into deadly clashes.

The protests continued for months after 30 March with the heaviest violence largely occurring on

Fridays—the Muslim day of prayer. The protests have largely been confined to Gaza but have on

occasion also occurred in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. For the most part, this report as well

is confined to examining the conflict that has occurred in Gaza and along the Gazan border.

While this report is written to be a primer on the border conflict, it is highly likely that

there are incidents of violence, injuries, and deaths that are not reported within this report. As a

result, this report is best read as providing the scope and general framework of the conflict that has

endured in Gaza since 30 March 2018. In total, as indicated in this report, this conflict claimed at

least 189 lives and caused injury to more than 19,000 people,

according to the incidents recorded in this report. The current

conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis is rooted in the

wider Arab-Israeli conflict which has been molded by more

than seventy years of history. However, this report will show that the sheer scope of violence and

the large number of casualties is relatively high when compared with other outbreaks of violence

in the ongoing conflict. As of February 2019, the border conflict is ongoing and shows no signs of

stopping in the foreseeable future.1

As this report shows, Palestine has not been blameless in their conduct. Aggressive actions

by Palestinian protesters and Hamas militants have been met by an increasingly aggressive Israeli

State which has outgunned and outmatched the Palestinians at each encounter. While Israel has

1 Gaza Officials: Israel Fire Kills 2 Palestinian Teens, ASSOCIATED PRESS, (8 Feb. 2019),

https://apnews.com/5638df99fd794d46ac493b009b0f205b

As of February 2019, the border conflict is ongoing

and shows no signs of

stopping in the foreseeable

future.

6

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framed its actions as lawful efforts to defend their border, the facts and circumstances surrounding

the ongoing conflict do not wholly support such a narrative. Despite the role of Hamas in the Gaza

Border protests, Israel has systematically and repeatedly engaged in a policy of indiscriminately

shooting at unarmed (and lightly armed) civilians who have approached the security fence.

However, the situation at the Gaza Border reveals that Israel is not the sole violator of international

law; Palestine’s repeated use of indiscriminate incendiary kites is also a war crime and arguably a

crime against humanity. Accordingly, as this report shows, Israel has committed war crimes and

crimes against humanity while Palestine’s use of incendiary kites is a war crime. All parties should

be held accountable for their conduct.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The conflict over the “true owners” of Jerusalem/Palestine began centuries ago. Still, major

incidents in 20th century diplomacy set the stage for the current nature of the ongoing conflict

between Israel and Palestinian. Before Britain seized Palestine, the McMahon-Hussein Agreement

of 1915 became a disputed promise from Britain that—upon

the fall of the Ottoman empire—Arab nationals would live

in the Turkish-occupied Palestine.2 Alternatively, the

Balfour Declaration of 1917 also became a disputed promise from Britain that the same land would

serve as the “national home for the Jewish people.”3

Decades of territorial-based conflict continued as Britain maintained power over

Palestine.4 The horrific atrocities of the Holocaust haunted the Jewish people throughout the 1940s

2 Mock, S., Obeidi, A. & Zeleznikow, J. Group Decis Negot (2014) 23: 1245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10726-012-9293-7 3 Israel Profile – Timeline, BBC (13 Aug. 2018), https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29123668. 4 Id.

[T]he United Nations recommended the partition

of Palestine into two

separate states.

7

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and later spurred their mass migration to Palestine.5 Conflict continued through the end of the

British Mandate in 1947, and the United Nations recommended the partition of Palestine into two

separate states with international control over Jerusalem.6

The first Arab-Israeli war began just as Israel sought independence and admittance to the

United Nations.7 Israel declared Independence on 14 May

1948, and Palestinians mark this day in history as the start

of “Nabka.”8 Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Transjordan, and Saudi Arabia declared War against

Israel on 15th May 1948.

Millions of Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors settled in Israel and conflict continued

to spread throughout the region during the Suez Crisis in Egypt.9 The Six Day War in 1967 left

Israel in contested control over Gaza, the West Bank, the

Golan Heights in Syria, the Sinai Peninsula, and all of

East Jerusalem.10 As time went on, the Israeli

government approved Jewish settlements in all of these occupied areas.11

Mass protests against Israeli government attempts to occupy or settle disputed land in Israel

ended in deadly clashes. 12 Israeli Security forces killed six Arab citizens on 30 March 1976—a

day Palestinians now commemorate as Land Day.13 Israel then withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula

and Egypt formally recognized Israel following the Camp David Accords of 1978, which pledged

5 Id. 6 Id. 7 Id. 8 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3. Palestinians protest on the 15th of May to mark the start of “Nabka” or “catastrophe.” 9 Id. 10 Id. 11 Id. 12Mock supra note 2. 13 Id. Palestinians now commemorate the 30th of March as Land Day.

Israel declared Independence on 14 May 1948.

30 March 1976—a day Palestinians now

commemorate as Land Day.

8

Israel to expand the self-determination and self-governance of disenfranchised Palestinians in the

West Bank and Gaza.14

Violence and conflict continued as Israel invaded Lebanon from 1982 to 1985 as a way to

undermine the growing forces of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).15 Israel continued

to control a buffer-zone in areas of southern Lebanon until the early 2000s.16 By 1987, the Hamas

movement gained power.17 Political tensions that built up over centuries were exploited by those

invested in the ongoing political conflict. The first wave of the Intifada uprising began in the

Israeli-occupied territories.18

The 1991 Madrid conference united representatives from Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan,

and Palestine.19 The 1993 Oslo Declaration formally ended the first wave of the Intifada

movement.20 While this Declaration initiated plans for Palestinian self-governance, violence by

many groups continued. Nonetheless, Israel withdrew from most of Gaza and parts of the West

Bank in 1994 and allowed for the PLO to establish the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).21

Both sides signed the Interim Agreement to transfer power and territory to the PNA.22 This

Agreement set the stage for the 1997 Hebron Protocol, the 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and

other peace agreements.23

Palestinian-led suicide bombings formed the alleged basis of Israel’s launch of Operation

Defensive Shield on the West Bank and barricade the West Bank in 2002.24 Nonetheless, the 2003

14 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3. 15 Id. 16 Id. 17 Id. 18 Mock supra note 2. 19 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3. 20 Id. 21 Id. 22 Id. 23 Id. 24 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3.

9

“Roadmap for Peace” worked to resolve the tensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and both

sides agreed to end attacks on Israelis and halt Jewish settlements in the West Bank.25 Israel then

withdrew all Jewish settlers and Israeli military personnel from Gaza in 2005; however, security

forces maintained control over the airways, waterways, and borders.26

Hamas organizations first won Palestinian Parliamentary elections in 2006.27 Soon after,

frequent attacks on Israel from Gaza led to deadly raids and violent incidents in response.28 Israel

invaded parts of Lebanon to combat Hezbollah forces in 2006 and destroyed a Syrian nuclear

reactor in 2007.29 In the end 2007, the Annapolis Conference established the basis for peace talks

between Israel and Palestine with the two-state solution.30 By 2010, these peace talks dwindled

and tangential disputes in the region caused Israeli-Turkish relations to fall apart as well.31

Economic disparities in 2011 lead to ongoing civil protests in Israeli occupied territories, and Israel

launched a military campaign against armed forces in Gaza in 2012.32

The United Nations upgraded the status of Palestine as a non-state observer member in

2012.33 The United States arbitrated unsuccessful peace talks between Israel and Palestine in 2013

which coordinated a cooperative effort to reduce pollution.34 Israel launched an extensive military

campaign against armed groups in Gaza in 2014 until clashes paused during an Egyptian brokered

cease-fire.35 Frequent reports of violence against Israelis by Palestinians in the form of shootings,

stabbings, and car crashes continued over the next year.36 In 2016, the U.S. agreed to the largest

25 Id. 26 Id. 27 Id. 28 Id. 29 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3. 30 Id. 31Mock supra note 2. 32 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3. 33 Id. 34 Id. 35 Id. 36 Id

-

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT -

UN affi ms the " ight to etu n" fo o e , e iled Palestinians. Tensions ise

o e Suez C isis and Sinai Peninsula.

-

PLO fo ms and Is ael attacks the West Bank. Eg pt calls fo united A ab action as

conflict su ounds the Is aeli bo de .

Wa b eaks out afte UN

pa titions Palestine into sepa ate A ab

and Je ish states ith

Je usalem in inte national

cont ol.

Is ael ithd a s f om Gaza and West Bank in Inte im Ag eement to t ansfe

po e to Palestinian National Autho it .

-

-

-

Intifada up isings begin in the occupied te ito ies and Hamas fo ms in Gaza. OSLO Decla ation begins peace talks.

Eg pt ecognizes Is ael as it ithd a s f om Sinai in Camp Da id Acco d hich

pledges Palestinian self-go e nance.

-UN Gene al Assembl upg ades the

status of Palestine to a non-membe state. Hamas and Fatah econcile.

-Official peace talks begin in Je usalem.

Clashes continue bet een Is ael and Hamas. Eg pt b oke s cease-fi e.

 Spikes of iolence continue into full-blo n milita campaigns and hope fo

a secu e t o-state solution d indles.

MAY

MARCH

U.S. fo mall mo es thei Is aeli

Embass to Je usalem. Conflict in Gaza continues to p olife ate.

On Ma ch, Palestinians initiate a se ies of p otests at the bo de in Gaza.

On Ma , mo e bloodshed spills than on an othe da of the p otests.

MAY Is aeli Independence ma ks the sta t of

"Nabka" as Eg pt, S ia, I a , Lebanon, T ansjo dan, and Saudi A abia decla e a .

Si Palestinians killed in mass p otests in No the n Is ael on hat

is commemo ated as Land Da

MARCH

Si Da Wa left Is ael in contested cont ol of Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Sinai and East Je usalem.

- - Despite Heb on P otocol and W e Ri e Memo, Is ael launches Ope ation Defensi e Shield and

builds ba ie along West Bank.

-Annapolis Confe ence establishes the "t o-

state" solution. Is ael in ades Gaza and Hamas continued to esist occupation as unsuccessful

negotiations continue to no a ail.

Is ael builds ne Je ish settlements on the West Bank. U.S. fo mall ackno ledges

Je usalem as the capital of Is ael.

U.S. p o ides Is ael ith la gest milita aid package to date. Is ael suspends elations

ith count ies condemning Je ish settlements in disputed te ito ies.

10

military aid package to Israel in their shared history—worth a total of $3 billon37 over a ten-year

timeframe.38 Months later, Israel suspended diplomatic relations with all twelve countries that

voted to condemn settlement building in disputed lands.39

In early 2017, the Israeli Parliament passed legislation to legalize Jewish settlements on

Palestinian land in the West Bank.40 Piloting a series of significant international events, Israel soon

began to build and develop the first new Jewish Settlement in the West Bank in decades.41 The

2017-version of the Charter of Hamas stresses an ideological commitment to create a Palestinian

State with Jerusalem as its capital. In mid-2017, UNESCO formally recognized the old city of

Hebron as a Palestinian World Heritage site—despite Israeli opposition.42 In December 2017,

United States President Donald J. Trump announced a plan to recognize Jerusalem as the capital

of Israel. Subsequently, incredible violence surged in Gaza and the West Bank and set fire to the

historic roots of this ongoing political conflict.

APPLICABLE LAW

Israel previously followed a “mixed-model” approach to the use of force of occupied

powers in an occupied territory which borrows from International Human Rights Law and

International Humanitarian Law.43 In April 2018, the Supreme Court of Israel addressed some of

37 Unless otherwise indicated, any monetary value in this report is in U.S. dollars. 38 Israel Profile – Timeline, supra note 3. 39 Id. 40 Id. 41 Id. 42 Id.

43 ICRC, Expert Meeting Report, Occupation and Other Forms of Administration of Foreign Territory, Third Meeting of Experts:

The Use of Force in Occupied Territory, prepared by T. Ferraro, Geneva, Switzerland, April 2012.

11

the humanitarian needs of the crisis and unanimously ruled that a wounded Palestinian youth must

be permitted to seek urgent medical care outside of Gaza.44

In May 2018, the Supreme Court of Israel dismissed a petition from prominent Israeli

Human Rights Lawyers which sought to invalidate any current Rules of Engagement that permit

the Israeli Defense Forces to use lethal force against protesters at the Gaza border, unless said

protesters pose an actual or imminent death threat.45 Five Israeli and one Palestinian non-

governmental organizations argued that these were primarily civilian protests, despite any

organizational role of Hamas in any part of the demonstrations.46 Israel argued that the 2018

clashes in Gaza exist in the context of an armed conflict between Hamas and Israel, and therefore

the laws of armed conflict apply—not international human rights laws.47

Essentially, Israel argued that the situations on the ground in Gaza implicated both a

hostilities paradigm and a law enforcement paradigm depending on the circumstances.48 The use

of military force and the use police force were both present. The Supreme Court of Israel did not

review the classified Rules of Engagement for the Israeli military forces; however, the justices

were briefed on the essence of the rules before they dismissed the petition.49 At least some of the

opinions appear to inoculate aspects of the laws of armed conflict with aspects of international

human rights law to create a set of rules that morph on a case by case basis.50

44 HCJ 2777/18, Yousef Al-Kronz v. Commander of Israeli forces in Gaza (decision delivered 16 April 2018). 45 HCJ 3003/18 Yesh Din v. IDF Chief of General Staff (decision delivered 24 May 2018). 46 Id. 47 Elena Chachko and Yuval Shany, Supreme Court of Israel Dismisses a Petition Against Gaza Rules of Engagement,

LAWFARE, (26 May 2018), https://www.lawfareblog.com/supreme-court-israel-dismisses-petition-against-gaza-rules-

engagement 48 Id. 49 Id. 50 Id.

12

Palestine accepted International Criminal Court jurisdiction and acceded to the Rome

Statute in 2015.51 In May 2018, the Human Rights Council adopted Resolution S-28/1 which

established an independent commission of inquiry to investigate potential violations of

international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Gaza.52 The Israeli Defense

Forces also opened an internal investigation into specific allegations regarding shots fired at

demonstrators at the Gaza border.53 The preliminary examination by the Office of the Prosecutor

into the alleged crimes in Gaza since 30 March 2018 will continue as further determinations of

fact and law come to light.54

On 25 February 2019, the Human Rights Council found “reasonable grounds” to believe

that Israel violated International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.55 The

Commission noted that both Israel and the State of Palestine are bound by customary international

law and are both party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, core human

rights treaties, and the 1949 Geneva Conventions.56

Since Israel and Palestinian armed groups are considered parties to an armed conflict, they

are bound by international humanitarian law. Additionally, Israel, as an occupying power is bound

by the rules of occupation.57 Further, the Commission found grounds to believe that Israel violated

51 The Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, ‘Report on Preliminary Examination Activities’, p. 65, 5 December

2018, https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=181205-rep-otp-PE 52 Id. 53 Id. 54The Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, ‘Report on Preliminary Examination Activities’, p. 67, supra, note

45.

55 UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Report of the independent international commission of

inquiry on the protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 25 Feb. 2018,

https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoIOPT/A_HRC_40_74.pdf

56 Id. 57 Id.

https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=181205-rep-otp-PE

13

the principle of distinction and/or the right to life with dignity of Palestinian protesters.58 The

classification of prior armed conflicts at the Gaza border as either an international armed conflict,

an armed conflict of non-international character, or both, remains subject of intense debate with

respect to previous conflict examinations.59 The classification of the clashes in Gaza since 30

March 2018 as part of an International Armed Conflict (IAC) or part of an armed conflict of Non-

International character (NIAC) does not alleviate the requirement for parties to make distinctions

between civilians and combatants.60

Generally, the laws of armed conflict attempt to strike a balance between military necessity

and humanitarian tragedy.61 The precursory determination of which legal regime governs—the

classification of the armed conflict—is not at the crux of the legal matter surrounding the 2018

Gaza border clashes.62 The classification of any conflict often serves as a key piece of analysis,

because certain war crimes provisions do not apply in armed conflicts of non-international

character. However, the principle of distinction does not waver in either class.63

Beyond the scope of International Human Rights law, International Humanitarian Law

applies to the use of force in an armed conflict when the act of force has a nexus with the conflict

itself.64 Furthermore, International Humanitarian Law applies “in the case of internal armed

conflicts, the whole territory under the control of a party, whether or not actual combat takes place

58 Id.

59 Id. 60 Id. 61 Liron Libman, The Blurred Distinction Between Armed Conflict and Civil Unrest: Recent Events In Gaza, LAWFARE, (17

April 2018), https://www.lawfareblog.com/blurred-distinction-between-armed-conflict-and-civil-unrest-recent-events-gaza 62 Id. 63 Id. 64 Id.

https://www.lawfareblog.com/blurred-distinction-between-armed-conflict-and-civil-unrest-recent-events-gaza

14

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there.”65 While it is unsustainable to enforce rules that do not allow for the protection of national

borders from imminent attacks, the use of force must remain limited and restrained (especially

when used against civilian protesters).66

Further analysis into the use of force under the applicable legal regime will provide insight

into the culpability of actors on both sides of the clashes in Gaza since 30 March 2018. The

overexerted and indiscriminate use of force against civilians, and particularly the use of lethal

force, during the 2018 clashes at the Gaza border likely amount to clear violations of the laws of

armed conflict under either classification.

As revealed throughout this report, the clashes at the Gaza border since 30 March 2018

involved the Israeli Defense Forces, Palestinian civilians, and in some cases members of Hamas.

Further investigation into the clashes at the Gaza border since 30 March 2018 must analyze the

parties involved, the nature of the use of force, and the level of restraint used in particular

circumstances. Additional evidence and supplemental information, beyond this report, will be

required to ultimately determine the legal culpability of actors on all sides. Nonetheless, this report

serves as a guide for inspecting the legal relevance of particular instances of the use of force.

THE 30 MARCH 2018 POLITICAL PROTESTS

On 30 March 2018, allegedly in commemoration of the relocation of Palestinian citizens

in 1976, Palestinians began a planned series of political

protests along the border of the occupied Palestine

territory in Gaza.67 For the next six weeks, Palestinians

65 Prosecutor v. D. Tadić, Appeals Chamber, Decision of 2 October 1995, case IT-94-1-AR72, paras. 170-127

66 Id. 67 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, AL JAZEERA (31 Aug. 2018), https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/gaza-protest-

latest-updates-180406092506561.html.

Palestinians began a planned series of political protests

along the border of the

occupied Palestine territory.

15

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held planned protests and demonstrations with the largest demonstrations occurring on Fridays.68

The stated purpose of the protest was to demand Palestine’s right to return to Israel.69 Moreover,

the goal of the protest was for Palestinians to march across the border.70 Palestinians claim that the

protests involved tens of thousands of protestors and occurred largely at five camps along the

length of the border.71 While initially planned to be

peaceful, the protests soon turned violent with hundreds

of protestors being injured on the first day as well as

fifteen reported fatalities.72 While initially planned to last

until 15 May 2018, the border protests have continued through the summer and are still resulting

in violence and unrest.73 It is estimated that over the length of the protests, at least 189 Palestinians

have been killed and at least another 19,000 have been injured.74

One day before the “scheduled” end of the Palestinian protests, the United States of

America formally moved the American Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.75 With this

action, the U.S. effectively recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the Israeli state76 and

inadvertently triggered increased unrest in Gaza.77 By the end of the day on 14 May, there was

68 Gaza-Israel Border Protests Turn Deadly, BBC (30 Mar. 2018), https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-

43600394/gaza-israel-border-protests-turn-deadly. 69 Sarah Helm, The Gaza ‘Return March’ has begun – the refugees won’t stop until their voices are heard, INDEPENDENT (30

Mar. 2018), https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/gaza-palestine-land-day-return-march-border-israel-a8281671.html. 70 Id. 71Gaza Irael Border Protests Turn Deadly, supra note 68. Israeli officials claim that the protests involved only around 17,000

Palestinian protestors. Id. 72 Id.; Jack Khoury, Yaniv Kubovich, & Almog Ben Zikri, 15 Killed, Dozens Wounded as Thousands Gather on Israeli-Palestine

Border, HAARETZ (31 Mar. 2018), https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-five-palestinians-reportedly-killed-by-israeli-

army-as-thousands-rally-for-mass-gaza-protests-1.5962159. 73 Gaza Protests supra note 67. This report was authored in August 2018. As of that time the protests in Gaza were still

continuing. 74 Id. 75 Stephen Farrell, Why is the U.S. moving its embassy to Jerusalem? REUTERS (7 May 2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-

usa-israel-diplomacy-jerusalem-explai/why-is-the-u-s-moving-its-embassy-to-jerusalem-idUSKBN1I811N; Sasha Ingber, U.S.

Embassy in Tel Aviv Prepares a Monday Move to Jerusalem, NPR (10 May 2018), https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-

way/2018/05/10/610053602/u-s-embassy-in-tel-aviv-prepares-a-monday-move-to-jerusalem. 76 Ingber, supra note 75. 77 David M. Halbingfer, Isabel Kershner & Declan Walsh, Israel Kills Dozens at Gaza Border as U.S. Embassy Opens in

Jerusalem, N.Y. TIMES (14 May 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/world/middleeast/gaza-protests-palestinians-us-

embassy.html.

It is estimated that over the length of the protests, at least

189 Palestinians have been

killed and at least another

19,000 have been injured.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/gaza-palestine-land-day-return-march-border-israel-a8281671.html

Victims of Violence in Gaza: March - Ma

,

,

,

,

Deaths Hospitalized Injuries

North GazaGaza

Dier Al Balahvhan Younis

Rafah

,

,

,

,

March marks the date of Israeli Independence and the Palestinian da of "Nabka" or "Catastrophe."

Ma marks "Land Da " in recognition of the anni ersar of the deaths of Palestinian Protesters.

Conflict continued alongside the border in Gaza long past the scheduled end date and throughout . This data onl reflects the first t o month of the clashes.

GAZA BORDER PROTESTS

On March , Palestinians began a series of protests along the border of the occupied Palestineterritor in Gaza. B the end of Ma , more bloodshed spilled in Gaza than on an pre ious da inthe current protests. This info-graphic reflects data from that brief time-frame, as retrie ed b the UN.

O erall Estimates for Protests:As ci il unrest continued throughout , estimates sho that more than

Palestinians ere killed and at least another , ere injured o er the e tended course of the protests.

Hospitals

, Hospitalized

Casualties

All Injuries in Gaza: March - Ma

,

,

,

All Injuries

March April Ma

,

,

,

,

Israeli Shots Fired in Gaza: March - Ma

Shooting Incidents

March April Ma

Data sources: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-crisis-early-warning-indicators-june-2018; https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoIOPT/A_HRC_40_74.pdf

Data source: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoIOPT/A_HRC_40_74.pdf

16

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more bloodshed in Gaza than any previous day in the current protests.78 It is against this

background that the conflict in Gaza continues to proliferate for the past four months. To date, at

least 189 Palestinians have been killed during demonstrations along the border.79

CONFLICT MAPPING NARRATIVE80

In this section, the significant events that occurred on each day of the protest are recounted

in detail. While the Conflict Mapping Narrative is intended to serve as a primer on the protests in

Gaza, it is almost certain that there has been more deaths and injuries that what are accounted for

in this report. As a result, while it aims to be as comprehensive as possible with the information

currently available, this section of the report is best read as providing the general framework and

scope of the current conflict in Gaza.

March

30 March

Palestinians began a planned six-week peaceful protest along the Israel/Palestine border in

Gaza.81 An estimated 30,000 Palestinians gathered at six points along the border to protest Israel’s

policy toward Palestine.82 Many of the protesters were bussed by Hamas to the Gazan border in

order to participate in the protests and the planned great

march toward the border.83 In the days prior to the

protest, some Palestinians placed explosives along the

border, cut through the security fence, and damaged Israeli military equipment in the border

region.84 This conduct placed Israeli officials on high alert as the protests began. Despite starting

78 Id. 79 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 80 All incidents in this narrative occurred in 2018. This Report was prepared in 2018. 81 Isabel Kershner & Iyad Abuheweila, Israeli Military Kills 15 Palestinians in Confrontations on Gaza Border, N.Y. TIMES (30

Mar. 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/30/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-protest-clashes.htm.l 82 Id.; Judah Ari Gross, 15 Gazans said killed, 1,100 hurt in clashes at massive border protest, TIMES OF ISR. (30 Mar. 2018),

https://recruiting.ultipro.com/SYN1007SYNTH/JobBoard/ae752a5b-729d-467d-ad95-0c35aaa9d7f6/?q=&o=postedDateDesc. 83 Kershner & Abuheweila, supra note 81. 84 Id.

An estimated 30,000 Palestinians gathered at six

points along the border.

17

peacefully, the protests soon turned violent when Israeli officials accused Palestinian

demonstrators of throwing rocks and explosives and rolling burning tires at the security fence.85

As a result, Israeli officials responded by firing rubber bullets, live ammunition, and tear gas into

the protest86 In anticipation of the protests, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) nearly doubled the

size of the Israeli military along the Palestinian border and deployed snipers, drones, and special

forces teams along the area.87 At that time, B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization, warned

that, in their view “any shoot-to-kill policy against unarmed demonstrators would be illegal unless

soldiers’ lives were threatened.”88 Following the break out of the violence along the border, Israel

declared the area to be a “closed military zone;” accordingly, the IDF initiated what they referred

to as “riot control measures.”89 As a result of these measures, at least twenty demonstrators were

killed90 and more than a 1,000 were injured.91 Of those fatalities, one adult male civilian farmer

was killed by artillery fire from an Israeli tank prior to the protests beginning.92 This day marked

the bloodiest day in Gaza since the Israelis and Palestinians were at war in 2014.93

85 Id. 86 Id. 87 Id. 88 Kershner & Abuheweila, supra note 81. emphasis added. B’Tselem’s aim is to “end Israeli occupation” in Palestine. See About

B’Tselem, B’TSELEM, https://www.btselem.org/about_btselem (last visited 2 Nov. 2018).

89 Id. 90 Almog Ben Zikri & Jack Khoury, Israeli Aircraft Attacks Armed Palestinian Near Gaza Border, HAARETZ (5 Apr. 2018),

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israeli-jet-fighter-attacks-armed-palestinian-near-gaza-border-1.5977033. 91 Kershner & Abuheweila, supra note 81; Krishnadev Calamur, A Palestinian March Along Israel’s Border Turns Fatal on Day

One, THE ATLANTIC (30 Mar. 2018), https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/gaza-march-israel/556937/;

Hazem Balousha & Oliver Holmes, Palestinians say over a dozen killed in Gaza border protest, THE GUARDIAN (31 Mar. 2018),

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/gaza-march-israel/556937/. 92 Kershner & Abuheweila, supra note 81. 93 Isabel Kershner, After Gaza Clash, Israel and Palestinians Fight with Videos and Words, N.Y. TIMES (1 Apr. 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-

fighting.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip.

18

April

1 April

IDF forces arrested three unarmed Palestinians late on the first after the Palestinians

crossed into Israel.94 Eleven Palestinians were injured, one critically, by gunfire along the Israeli

border.95 Additionally, another six Palestinians were injured in solidarity rallies in the West Bank

in the village of Abu Dis.96 Among the injuries in Abu Dis, five were caused by rubber bullets

while the sixth was injured by live ammunition.97 In the wake of the violence on 30 March, Israeli

and Palestinian authorities each engaged in an extensive PR campaign in an effort to advance their

own view of the border protests and the events of 30 March.98

3 April

Ahmed Afra, a twenty-five-year-old Palestinian male died as a result of a gunshot wound

to his chest east of Bureij, an area in central Gaza.99 Mr. Afra was allegedly affiliated with the

Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and was shot while he and four other men

attempted to break past the security fence in Gaza.100 Israeli forces used tear gas and rubber bullets

in other parts of Gaza to keep protestors away from the border fence, no major injuries were

reported.101

94 Almog Ben Zikri, Three Unarmed Palestinians Arrested After Crossing into Israel From Gaza, Army Says, HAARETZ(1 Apr.

2018), https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-three-palestinians-detained-after-breaching-israeli-border-army-says-

1.5964297. 95 Almong Ben Zikri, Yaniv Kubovich, & Jack Khoury, 11 Wounded at Israel-Gaza Border as Palestinians March in West Bank

in Solidarity, HAARETZ (1 Apr. 2018), https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/four-wounded-on-gaza-border-w-

bank-palestinians-march-in-solidarity-1.5963866. 96 Id. 97 Id. 98 Kershner, supra note 93. 99 Judah Ari Gross, IDF shoots, kills Palestinian who broke through Gaza fence, TIMES OF ISR. (3 Apr. 2018),

https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-say-man-shot-dead-by-israeli-troops-on-gaza-border. 100 Id. 101 Id.

19

4 April

An armed Palestinian man was killed by Israeli aircraft fire near the border fence in the

northern part of the Gaza Strip.102 Two individuals were injured by live ammunition when they,

and others, approached the Israeli border fence.103

5 April

Off the coast of Gaza, three Palestinian fishermen were injured by Israeli gunfire.104 On

the border, one disabled protestor suffered property damage when the Israeli military shot at his

wheelchair.105

6 April

As the border protests entered their second week, Israeli officials pledged to use live

ammunition “judiciously.”106 However, despite that pledge, Eleven Palestinians, including one

journalist were killed by IDF personal along the border.107 Of the eleven fatalities, at least three

were children.108 Another 1,400 individuals were injured during the protests, many of the injuries

were caused by tear gas and live ammunition;109 Palestinian officials110 estimate that nearly five

hundred people were injured by live ammunition.111 At least thirty-one children and seven women

were among the wounded from the protests.112 Additionally, at least six Palestinian journalists

102 Ben Zikri & Khoury, supra note 90. 103 Id. 104 Id. 105 David M. Halbfinger, Iyad Abuheweila, & Isabel Kershner, Nine Killed in Gaza as Palestinian Protesters Face Off with

Israeli Soldiers, N.Y. TIMES (6 Apr. 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/world/middleeast/gaza-palestinian-protest-

israel.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 106 Id. 107 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 108 Id. For purposes of this report, a child or minor is anyone under the age of eighteen. 109 Israeli forces kill Palestinian journalist covering Gaza rally, AL JAZEERA (7 Apr. 2018),

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/palestinian-journalist-yasser-murtaja-dies-shot-israeli-forces-180407054201619.html. 110 Throughout this Report we utilize Palestinian estimates as to the number of fatalities and injuries in the border conflict. The

reason for this is purely practical as much of the reporting on the conflict also utilizes the Palestinian estimates. Moreover, as the

significant majority of the conflict’s victims are Palestinian, the Palestinians are in a better position to report the number of

fatalities. Where possible, we have also included Israeli estimates. As a general rule, Israel’s reports are lower. 111 Id. The official estimate was 491 injuries as a result of live ammunition. Live ammunition accounted for around a third of

injuries on 6 April. 112 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67.

20

were shot while covering the protest.113 It is estimated that at least 20,000 Palestinians participated

in the day’s protests.114

8 April

Three Palestinians placed explosive devices near the border fence.115 The IDF fired artillery

shells at the Palestinians.116 No injuries or fatalities were reported.117

11 April

Palestinians set off a bomb near the security fence in Gaza.118 As a result, the IDF fired on

a number of Hamas compounds in the Northern Gaza Strip.119 No fatalities were reported.

12 April

One Hamas gunman was killed in an Israeli air strike on what was likely a structure

controlled by Hamas.120 Another Hamas fighter was injured in the same strike.121 Elsewhere, IDF

forces shot and killed another Palestinian who was located near the border fence in Khan Younis.122

13 April

As the border protests entered their third violent week, one protestor died as a result of

gunshot wounds while another thousand were injured.123 About a quarter (223) of the injuries

resulted from gunshot wounds while the balance were the result of a heavy IDF tear gas assault.124

IDF personnel fired tear gas as much as 350 feet away from the border, causing the largely unarmed

113 Halbfinger, Abuheweila, & Kershner, supra note 105. 114 Nidal al-Mughrabi, Israeli troops kill seven Palestinians on day of heightened Gaza border protests: medics, REUTERS (6 Apr.

2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests/israeli-troops-kill-seven-palestinians-on-day-of-heightened-

gaza-border-protests-medics-idUSKCN1HD0OG. 115 Two Explosive Devices Brought to Gaza Fence, IDF Says, JERUSALEM POST (8 Apr. 2018), https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-

News/Two-explosive-devices-brought-to-Gaza-fence-IDF-says-549193. 116 Id. 117 Id. 118 Judah Ari Gross, Palestinians set off bomb near IDF vehicle in Gaza buffer zone; army retaliates, TIMES OF ISR. (11 Apr.

2018), https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-set-off-bomb-against-idf-vehicle-near-gaza-army-retaliates/. 119 Id. 120 Israeli military kills two as Gaza border simmers: Palestinians, REUTERS (12 Apr. 2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-

israel-palestinians-violence/israeli-military-kills-two-as-gaza-border-simmers-palestinians-idUSKBN1HJ0FD. 121 Id. 122 Id. 123 David M. Halbfinger & Iyad Abuheweila, One Dead Amid Violence in 3rd Week of Protests at Gaza-Israel Fence, N.Y. TIMES

(13 Apr. 2018), https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-violence/israeli-military-kills-two-as-gaza-border-

simmers-palestinians-idUSKBN1HJ0FD. 124 Id.

21

protestors to scatter.125 Despite heavy Palestinian casualties, no Israeli person has been killed

during the past three weeks of protest.126 The deceased, Islam Herzallah, an adult male, was shot

in the stomach by a sniper east of Gaza.127 Palestinian officials also accused the IDF of deliberately

targeting an emergency medical clinic near the protests with tear gas.128 As a result of the attack,

at least ten medical personnel were seriously injured.129

While the death toll has decreased each week, Israeli officials have stated that the IDF has

not changed its rules of engagement but has instructed snipers to shoot for ankles.130 The IDF

claims that each shot is captured by cameras mounted on the barrels of the snipers’ guns.131

14 April

Four Palestinians were killed in a suspicious blast in the southeastern portion of the Gaza

Strip.132 Other individuals were injured in the blast.133

20 April

As the protest began its fourth week another four Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces,

among the dead was a fifteen-year-old boy.134 Officials estimate that approximately 3,000

125 Id. 126 Id. 127 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 128 Id. 129 Id. 130 Halbfinger & Abuheweila, supra note 123. 131 Id.

132 Several killed in mystery blast in Gaza, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (14 Apr. 2018), https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-

east/several-killed-in-mystery-blast-in-gaza-20180414-p4z9of.html.

133 Id.

134 Isabel Kershner & Iyad Abuheweila, Four killed in Gaza, as Weekly Protests Shrink, N.Y. TIMES (20 Apr. 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/20/world/middleeast/gaza-protest-

deaths.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip.

22

individuals participated in the protests on 20 April.135 In addition to the fatalities, 156 protesters

were injured by IDF gunfire.136 In total, 445 people were injured in today’s protests.137

27 April

As the protests began their fifth week more than 10,000 Palestinians gathered along the

Gaza border.138 Palestinians armed with firebombs, stones, burning tires, and guns attempted to

storm the security fence and Israeli border near Gaza City.139 In response, Israeli soldiers opened

fire on the protestors and lobbed tear gas into the protest.140 At least four Palestinians were shot

and killed during the protests while more than 1,000 other individuals were wounded.141 One of

the four fatalities was a 15-year-old male.142 Reports indicate that some of the Palestinian

protestors shot at Israeli soldiers which likely caused the IDF to respond with increased violence.143

Of the 1,000 injured, approximately 200 were injured by gun fire; the balance, including at least

four medical personal, were injured by other sources, including tear gas.144

29 April

Two Palestinians were shot by the IDF as they attempted to damage the border fence.145

One of the victims was killed while the other was arrested by Israeli officials.146 In a second

135 Id. 136 Nidal al-Mughrabi, Israeli troops kill four more Palestinians in border protest, REUTERS (20 Apr. 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests/israeli-troops-kill-four-more-palestinians-in-border-protest-

idUSKBN1HR0RT. 137 The Latest: Palestinians Will Seek UN Probe of Gaza Violence, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REP. (20 Apr. 2018),

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-04-20/the-latest-gaza-ministry-young-protesters-shot-in-the-head. 138 Iyad Abuheweila & David M. Halbfinger, Plan to Storm Fence Gets Bloody Preview in Gaza, N.Y. TIMES (27 Apr. 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/middleeast/gaza-protest-

israel.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 139 Id. 140 Id. 141 Id. 142 Id. 143 Abuheweila & Halbfinger, supra note 138. 144 Nidal al-Mughrabi, Israeli forces kill three Gaza border Protestors, wound 600: medics, REUTERS (27 Apr. 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests-shooting/israeli-forces-kill-three-gaza-border-protesters-wound-

600-medics-idUSKBN1HY205. 145 Yaniv Kubovich, Three Palestinians Killed by Israeli Army After Trying to Breach Gaza Border, HAARETZ (29 Apr. 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests-shooting/israeli-forces-kill-three-gaza-border-protesters-wound-

600-medics-idUSKBN1HY205. 146 Id.

23

incident, two Palestinians were shot and killed after they threw explosives against the border

fence.147 Finally, in a third incident, two Palestinians were arrested for attempting to breach the

border fence in southern Gaza.148

May

2 May

Palestinian protestors flew a kite with an attached firebomb over a stretch of woodlands in

Gaza.149 The kite caused a large fire in the Be’eri Forest.150 The fire caused significant property

damage however, no people were harmed.151 The Israeli government considers flying flaming kites

to be a form of terrorism.152

4 May

As the border protests enter their sixth week, thousands of Palestinians again massed along

the Israeli border.153 While there were no reported casualties, around 1,100 people were injured in

this week’s mass protest.154 As in past weeks, the majority of the injuries were caused by tear gas

however, around 120 protesters were injured by either live ammunition or rubber bullets.155

Protesters attempted to fly kites with attached explosives into Israel, however, as a result of winds

blowing into Palestine, were unable to do so.156 A group of Palestinian protesters also set fire to

Israeli equipment on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing.157

147 Id. 148 Id. 149 Hana Levi Julian, WATCH: Be’eri Forest Fire Started by Gaza Terror Kites, JEWISH PRESS (2 May 2018),

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/beeri-forest-fire-raging-out-of-control/2018/05/02/. 150 Id. 151 Id. 152 Almong Ben Zikri, Fires Break Out in Israel Near Gaza Border, Suspected by Kites From Gaza, HAARETZ (7 May 2018),

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/fires-break-out-in-israel-near-gaza-border-suspected-by-gaza-kites-1.6069931. 153 Nidal al-Mughrabi, Israeli troops fire shots, tear gas at Gaza protesters, 1,100 Palestinians hurt, REUTERS (4 May 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests/israeli-troops-fire-shots-tear-gas-at-gaza-protesters-1100-

palestinians-hurt-idUSKBN1I50XA. 154 Id. 155 Iyad Abuheweila & Isabel Kershner, Flaming Kites From Gaza Thwarted by Winds, N.Y. TIMES (4 May 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/04/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-flaming-kites-

protest.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20St 156 Id. 157 Id.

24

5 May

Six Hamas operatives were killed and another three injured in an explosion in Deir al-Balah

in central Gaza.158 While Hamas blamed the IDF for the explosion, it appears that the explosion

was not perpetrated by the Israeli army but was instead a result of the way that explosives were

handled by Hamas.159

6 May

The IDF shot and killed three Palestinians who were attempting to enter Israel in the

southern part of the Gaza Strip.160

7 May

Palestinian incendiary kites were launched into Israel causing fires in fields near Kibbutz

Nir Am, Be’eri Forest, and in Nir Am.161 While the fires caused significant property damage, there

was no reported damage to structures or harm to persons.162

11 May

On the seventh Friday protest, 167 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, tear gas,

and rubber bullets.163 In addition, Jaber Salem Abu Mustafa, a forty-year-old man died after being

shot in the chest by Israeli forces.164 Abu Mustafa was shot while near the border east of Khan

Younis.165 Additionally, Jamal Afanah, a fifteen year old male, died from gunshot wounds

sustained during the protest.166 Among the injured was a Palestinian journalist who was shot in the

158 Jack Khoury, Six Hamas Men Killed in Gaza Explosion; Militant Group Blames Israel, HAARETZ (5 May 2018),

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/explosion-rocks-central-gaza-strip-fatalities-reported-1.6055148. 159 Id. 160 Anna Ahronheim, IDF kills 3 Palestinians trying to infiltrate into Israel from Gaza, JERUSALEM POST (6 May 2018),

https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-strikes-Hamas-outpost-in-Gaza-used-as-launching-pad-for-attack-kites-553601. 161 Ben Zikri supra note 152. 162 Id. 163 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 164 Id.

165 Id. 166 Id.

25

“

foot as well as numerous women and children.167 The border protest was smaller than in past

weeks, likely in anticipation of the protests planned for 14 May.168

13 May

A group of Palestinian females approached the border and shouted at the Israeli soldiers.169

One of the women was shot in the stomach and transported to a hospital in Gaza.170 There were no

reports that the women were armed.

14 May

As the United States formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, violence raged

on the Gaza border as tens of thousands gathered to protest both Israel’s occupation of Palestinian

territory and the U.S. embassy move.171 Along the

border, more than 2,700 Palestinians were injured, at

least 1,350 of those injures being caused by gunfire.172 At

least 60 Palestinians were killed in the border protests173

making this the deadliest day in the border protests to date.174 Among the fatalities were at least

seven children, including one infant who died from tear gas inhalation.175 Much of the fighting

167 Id. 168 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 169 Declan Walsh, At the Gaza-Israel Fence: Raw Nerves and Shots Fired, N.Y. TIMES (13 May 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/13/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-palestinians-fence.html. 170 Id. 171 David M. Halbfinger, Isabel Kershner, & Declan Walsh, Israel Kills Dozens at Gaza Border as U.S. Embassy Opens in

Jerusalem, N.Y. TIMES (14 May 2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/world/middleeast/gaza-protests-palestinians-us-

embassy.html. 172 Id. 173 Chico Harlan, Gaza’s deadly border, WASH. POST (15 May 2018),

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2018/05/15/feature/gazas-deadly-

border/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3d072e48e438. 174 Alia Chughtai, Palestians’ Great March of Return: the Human cost, AL JAZEERA (16 May 2018),

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2018/05/palestinians-great-march-return-human-cost-180516110538165.html.

Over the course of the Gaza protests, 111 people have been killed, 60 of those died on 12 May 2018. Id. In total nearly 13,000

people have been killed or injured to date in the protest with just over 3,500 of those injuries occurring as a result of live

ammunition.

175 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67; Gaza begins to bury its dead after deadliest day in years, BBC (15 May

2018), https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-44116340.

More than 2,700 Palestinians

were injured . . . [and] [a]t

least 60 Palestinians were

killed in border protests.

26

was concentrated near Gaza City176 and involved significant Israeli fire and copious amounts of

tear gas.177 No Israeli soldier was killed in the protest.178 The violence that occurred today was met

by considerable indignation from the international community.179

15 May

Following the violence on 14 May, Palestinian protest organizers declared a break in the

Great March of Return for a day of mourning.180 However, at least one Palestinian was killed

during demonstrations that occurred during the day of mourning.181 The International community

continued to react to the violence on 14 May with South Africa withdrawing its ambassador to

Israel and Turkey calling for Muslim nations to reconsider their ties with Israel.182

16 May

Palestine and Israel conducted four separate cross border incidents. In Sderot, a southern

Israeli city, machine gunfire from Gaza struck a number of houses as the gunners attempted to hit

an IDF aircraft flying over the city.183 In a second incident, Palestinians targeted Israeli soldiers

stationed along the border in northern and southern Gaza.184 In response, Israeli forces fired mortar

shells on Hamas observation posts in northern and southern Gaza.185 There were no reported

fatalities.186

176 Halbfinger, Kershner, & Walsh, supra note 171. 177 Gaza begins to bury its dead after deadliest day in years, supra note 175. 178 Id. 179 See generally, Id.; Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67; Amanda Holpuch & Matthew Weaver, Gaza: Nakba

day protests as Palestinians bury those killed in embassy unrest – live updates, GUARDIAN (15 May 2018),

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2018/may/15/gaza-israel-nakba-day-protests-as-palestinians-bury-those-killed-in-

embassy-unrest-live-updates. 180 Loevday Morris, Ruth Eglash, Gaza buries its dead as death toll from protests at fence with Israel rises to at least 60, WASH.

POST (15 May 2018), https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/toll-for-gaza-protests-rises-to-59-as-baby-dies-from-tear-gas-with-

more-protests-expected/2018/05/15/ee4156f8-57c6-11e8-9889-07bcc1327f4b_story.html?utm_term=.a7863d43eafa. 181 Id. 182 Id. 183 Judah Ari Gross, Machine gun fire from Gaza hits nearby Israeli homes in Sderot, no injuries, TIMES OF ISR. (16 May 2018),

https://www.timesofisrael.com/bullets-apparently-fired-from-gaza-strike-israeli-homes-no-injuries/. 184 Id.

185 Id. 186 Id.

27

17 May

In response to the heavy machine gun fire in Sderot, the IDF targeted a number of Hamas

facilities in Gaza in overnight air raids.187 No one was reported to have been injured in the raids.188

19 May

Two adult Palestinian men died from injuries sustained during the protests on 14 May.189

Mouin Abdelhamid al-Saai, and Mohammed Mazin Alian, were each shot by Israeli forces during

the 14 May protest. Mazin Alian was shot near the al-Bureij refugee camp in Central Gaza while

al-Saai was shot at an unreported location.190

22 May

A group of about ten Gazans crossed the Israeli border near Rafah and set a sniper’s outpost

on fire.191 In response, the IDF fired artillery shells at a Hamas outpost in the Gaza Strip.192

25 May

The weekly Friday March of Return protests reconvened with violence along the Gaza

border.193 Approximately 1,600 protesters gathered at two locations along the Gazan Border.194

When pockets of protesters advanced toward the fence, Israeli soldiers responded with live

ammunition and tear gas.195 An estimated 109 individuals were injured with approximately 10 of

the injuries being caused by live ammunition.196 There were no reported fatalities.197 During the

protest, Palestinians continued to send flaming kites over the border into Israel causing fires to

spring up in the farmland on the Israeli side of the border.198

187 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 188 Id. 189 Id. 190 Id. 191 Yaniv Kubovich & Yotam Berger, Palestinians Cross Into Israel From Gaza; Army Hits Hamas Target with Tank Fire,

HAARETZ (22 May 2018), https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/palestinians-attempt-to-cross-into-gaza-army-hits-hamas-target-

1.6110635. 192 Id. 193 Yoav Zitun, Explosive device thrown at IDF force north of Gaza as border clashes resume, REUTERS (25 May 2018),

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5270757,00.html. 194 Id. 195 Id. 196 Id. 197 Id. 198 Zitun, supra note 193.

28

29 May

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad engaged in an extensive shelling campaign into

Israel.199 In response, Israel engaged in a series of airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza.200 Two

Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian were injured in the attacks however, most of the Hamas

rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome system.201 The cross border attacks were the most

intense period of violence in Gaza since the end of Israel and Palestine’s 2014 war.202 On 30 May,

one day after the increased violence, Hamas and Israel enter into a ceasefire agreement.203

June

1 June

A twenty-one-year-old volunteer paramedic, Razan al-Najjar, was shot and killed during

protest in Southern Gaza (near Khan Younis).204 The paramedic was shot while running toward

the security fence in order assist a wounded protester.205 Palestinian officials estimate that more

than 100 other protesters were injured with at least 40 injuries being caused by live ammunition.206

A reporter from Al Jazeera noted the “repeated, very heavy use of tear gas” during the protest and

noted that the demonstrations “showed no signs of ending.”207 At the U.N., U.S. Ambassador to

the U.N., Nikki Haley, vowed to veto a Kuwait resolution calling on Israel to halt its actions along

the Gaza border.208

199 Isabel Kershner & David M. Halbfinger, Gaza Military Barrage Israel With Mortars and Rockets, N.Y. TIMES (29 May 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-

mortars.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 200 Id. 201 Id. 202 Id. 203 Isabel Kershner, Hamas Declares Cease-Fire With Israel After a Day of Fighting, N.Y. TIMES (30 May 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-cease-

fire.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 204 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 205 Id. 206 Id. 207 Id. 208 Id.

29

3 June

Mohammed Naaim Hamada, an adult male, died as a result of a gunshot wound sustained

during protests on 14 May.209

8 June

At least four Palestinian protesters were killed in protests along the border.210 Haitham al-

Jamal, a minor, was shot and killed east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.211 Ziad Jadallah Bureim

(age unreported) was also shot and killed in southern Gaza while Imad Mabil Abu Darabi, an adult,

was shot and killed east of Jabalia town in northern Gaza.212 The fourth fatality, Yousef al-Fasih,

an adult, was shot and killed in the eastern portion of the Gaza Strip.213 In addition to the four

fatalities, at least 600 people have been injured in the protests.214 The injured include at least one

member of the press, twenty-six children, and fourteen women.215

14 June

Ahmed Ziad al-Assi, an adult male, died from wounds sustained on 8 June.216 Al-Assi was

shot in the head by Israeli forces while participating in the 8 June protests.217

22 June

On the twelfth Friday demonstration in the Great March of Return, at least 7,000

Palestinians gathered along the Gaza border for the “Friday of the Wounded.”218 The day’s protest

was advertised by organizers as an effort to honor the more than 14,600 Palestinians that protest

209 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 210 Id. 211 Id. 212 Id. 213 Id. 214 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 215 Id. 216 Id. 217 Id. 218 Gaza Protesters mark ‘Friday of the Wounded,’ MID. E. EYE (22 June 2018), https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-

protesters-mark-friday-wounded-march-return-25023373.

30

organizers claim have been wounded since 30 March.219 An estimated 206 protesters were injured

(8 of whom were minor children) during the day’s protest.220

29 June

Two Palestinian males were shot and killed during protests along the Gaza border.221 Isreali

officials shot Yasser Abu Al-Naja, a fourteen-year-old child was killed while participating in the

protests.222 Additionally, Mohammad al-Hamayda, an adult male, was shot in the chest.223 At least

415 other protesters were wounded by live ammunition and tear gas.224 At least fifty-seven people

were injured by live ammunition225 with at least four of those being in critical condition.226 At least

thirteen of the injured were children.227

July

6 July

At least one Palestinian, Muhammad Abu Halima, an adult male, was shot and killed during

protests along the Gaza border.228 At least 396 Palestinians were injured with at least 57 injuries

resulting from live ammunition and the remainder being caused by tear gas.229

7 July

At least two Palestinians were shot and killed while participating in demonstrations along

the Gaza border.230 Yasser Abu al-Naja, an eleven-year-old child, was shot in the head near Khan

Younis and Mohammad Fawzi Hamaydeh, an adult, was shot in the abdomen and foot near

219 Id. 220 Id. 221 Nidal al-Mughrabi, Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in Gaza border protests: Gaza Medics, REUTERS (29 June 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests/israeli-forces-kill-two-palestinians-in-gaza-border-protests-gaza-

medics-idUSKBN1JP2S9. 222 Id. 223 Id.; Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 224 Al-Mughrabi, supra note 221. 225 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 226 Al-Mughrabi, supra note 221. 227 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 228 One Palestinian killed, hundreds injured during Gaza protests, MA’AN NEWS AGENCY (8 July 2018),

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=780361. 229 Id. 230 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67.

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Rafah.231 At least 415 demonstrators were wounded with eleven of the wounded being children.232

At least three of the injured had severe injuries.233

9 July

Israel announces a plan to seal the Karam Abu Salem border crossing between Israel and

Gaza.234 The crossing serves as the primary tributary for commercial goods to enter Gaza.235 Israel

claimed to have shut down the checkpoint in retaliation for the burning of the checkpoint during

protests and for protesters setting fire to Israeli land.236

13 July

An Israeli soldier was injured near the Palestinian border while an unnamed fourteen-year-old

Palestinian was shot and killed while attempting to scale the security fence.237

14 July

Israel and Palestine engaged in a series of heavy cross border conflict.238 Israel engaged in

a series of airstrikes against military targets throughout Gaza while Hamas and its allies fired more

than 100 projectiles into Israel.239 Israeli airstrikes caused the death of two teenaged boys who

were near a target in downtown Gaza.240 The strike also resulted in injury to twelve Palestinians

Palestinian civilians while Palestinian strikes in Israel wounded 4 Israelis.241

18 July

After restricting access through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on 9 July, Israeli

officials announced that no more gas or fuel would be allowed to pass through the crossing.242

231 Id. 232 Id. 233 Id. 234 Id. 235 Id. 236 Id. 237 David M. Halbfinger, 2 Killed in Gaza, 4 Wounded in Israel, in Most Intense Fighting Since 2014 War, N.Y. TIMES (14 July

2018), https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/14/world/middleeast/2-killed-in-gaza-4-wounded-in-israel-in-most-intense-fighting-

since-2014-war.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 238 Id. 239 Id.

240 Id. The boys were Amir al-Nimra, 15, and Luay Kaheel, 16. Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 241 Halbfinger, supra note 237. 242 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67.

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Israeli officials also reduced the fishing zone off the coast of the Strip from six nautical miles to

three nautical miles.243 The restrictions were characterized as a form of collective punishment by

both the U.N. and Gisha (the Legal Centre for Freedom of Movement).244

19 July

An Israeli air raid east of Rafah caused the death of one Palestinian and injured three

others.245 The deceased, age 22, was reportedly a member of the Qassam Brigades (Hamas’ armed

wing) and was working as a security guard in a Hamas controlled area.246 Israeli reportedly was

targeting groups of Palestinians who were carrying firebombs and kites to send over the border.247

20 July

On another tense Friday, a Palestinian sniper shot and killed an Israeli soldier, marking the

first Israeli killed along the border in the recent protests.248 In response, Israel conducted a large-

scale air raid campaign against Gaza resulting in the death of at least four Palestinians and causing

injury to more than one hundred.249 As a result of the intense fighting, many in the international

community called for Israel and Palestine to step back from the brink lest the two nations descend

one again into open conflict.250

25 July

An Israeli air raid caused the death of three adult male civilians in Palestine.251 Ahmed al-

Bsous, 28, Ubadah Farawneh, 29, and Mohamed al-Aareer, 27 were killed in airstrikes in an

243 Id. 244 Id. 245 Id. 246 Id. 247 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 248 Isabel Kershner, Israel Launches Broad Air Assault in Gaza Following Border Violence, N.Y. TIMES (20 July 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-

violence.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 249 Id.; Israeli forces kill 4 Palestinians, injure 120 others during Gaza protests, MA’AN NEWS AGENCY (20 July 2018),

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=780466.

250 Id. 251 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67.

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unreported area in the Gaza strip.252 The three men died shortly after arriving at al-Shifa hospital

in Gaza.253

27 July

On the eighteenth Friday protest, two Palestinians were shot and killed while another 246

were injured by gunshot wounds.254 Muhammad Abu Mustafa, an adult male, was shot in the head

in the eastern part of Khan Younis while Majdi Ramzi Kamal al-Satri, a fourteen-year-old, was

shot in the head in east Rafah.255 At least three paramedics suffered serious wounds from gunfire

while other protesters were attacked with live ammunition and tear gas.256 At least one group of

Palestinians was targeted by missile fired from an Israeli military drone.257 Other Israeli drones

were used to deliver tear gas canisters into the protest.258 Among the injured were at least fourteen

children, ten women, four paramedics, and one journalist.259 As of the end of the day, at least 151

Palestinians have been killed and 16,000 wounded as of the start of the Protests on 30 March.260

28 July

Mohmen al-Hams, 17, died after being shot in the chest during the previous day’s

protest.261 Al-Hams was shot near Rafah, a town in Southern Gaza.262

252 Id. 253 Id. 254 Two Palestinians killed, hundreds injured on 18th ‘Great March of Return’ Friday, MA’AN NEWS AGENCY (27 July 2018),

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=780526. 255 Id. 256 Id. 257 Id. 258 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 259 Id. 260 Id. 261 Id. 262 Id.

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August

3 August

At least one Palestinian male was shot and killed during border protests.263 The deceased,

Ahmed Yaghi, 25, was shot by a sniper near Gaza city.264 At least 220 Palestinians were injured

in the protest with at least 90 of the injuries being caused by gunfire.265

4 August

Muaz al-Suri, 15, was shot during the previous day’s protest east of the Bureij refugee

camp.266 Al-Suri died as a result of his wounds early on 4 August.267

7 August

Israeli artillery fire killed two Hamas gunmen in Gaza who the Israeli army accused of

firing on Israeli soldiers.268 While Palestinian officials do not dispute that the men were armed and

affiliated with Hamas, they do dispute that the men fired upon Israeli forces.269 According to

Hamas, the men, both snipers, were engaged in training exercises inside of a Hamas compound in

northern Beit Lahiya.270 Hamas has called the shooting a “criminal act.”271

8 August

Palestine and Israel again engaged in a bilateral shelling campaign.272 At least three

Palestinians, including a pregnant mother and her infant daughter, were killed by Israeli airstrikes

in Deir el-Balah.273 At least nine other Palestinians were injured in the strike.274 On the Israeli side

of the border, most Palestinian rockets either landed in open fields or were intercepted by the Iron

263 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 264 Id. 265 Id. 266 Id. 267 Id. 268 Israel kills two Hamas gunmen in Gaza, sides dispute circumstances, REUTERS (7 Aug. 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians/israeli-strike-kills-two-hamas-militants-in-gaza-idUSKBN1KS0U1. 269 Id. 270 Id. 271 Id. 272 Isabel Kershner, Renewed Clashes Between Israel and Gaza Interrupt Talk of Cease-Fire, N.Y. TIMES (8 Aug. 2018),

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/world/middleeast/renewed-fire-between-israel-and-gaza-interrupts-talk-of-cease-

fire.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGaza%20Strip. 273 Id. 274 Id.

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Dome however, a few struck buildings in Sderot and caused injuries and property damage.275 No

Israeli fatalities were reported.276

10 August

At least two Palestinians were killed and 307 wounded in another iteration of the Friday

border protests.277 One of the fatalities was a Palestinian medic, the other was a fifty-five-year-old

male.278 Of the roughly 300 injured, at least 131 were the result of live gunfire and five of the

injured were in serious condition as of the end of the day.279

11 August

Gazan fisherman began a planned protest of the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.280 Around

fifty boats sailed from Gaza toward Israel, there were no reported injuries or fatalities.281 In central

Gaza, an Israeli drone strike injured at least two people.282 A second drone strike occurred in the

north, however, there were no casualties.283 A third adult male died as a result of a gunshot wound

sustained during the 10 August demonstrations.284 Like the other two deceased Palestinians from

10 August, he was shot along the border near Rafah.285

17 August

At least two Palestinian demonstrators were killed while more than 270 were wounded by

Israeli soldiers.286 The two deceased Palestinians, both adult males, were shot by the Israeli

military.287 One was shot in the head by a sniper while the other was shot while demonstrating

275 Id. 276 Id. 277 Jack Khoury & Yaniv Kubovich, Two Palestinians Killed, 307 ‘Wounded’ in Border Protests After Gaza Escalation,

HAARETZ (10 Aug. 2018), https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/hamas-calls-on-gazans-to-join-border-protests-after-gaza-

escalation-1.6364600. 278 Id. 279 Id. 280 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 281 Id. 282 Id. 283 Id. 284 Id. 285 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 286 Id. 287 Id.

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near Rafah.288 At least four of the wounded were medics who suffocated as a result of tear gas.289

There were no reports as to the number of injuries that resulted from gunfire.290

24 August

On the 22nd weekly Friday protest, around 5,000 Palestinians gathered along the Gaza

border.291 At least 189 Palestinians were injured with around 50 of those injuries occurring as a

result of live ammunition.292 It was reported that there were considerable amounts of Tear Gas

around the border.293 There were no reported fatalities from the protest on this date.294

31 August

At least 240 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces in protests along the border.295 Of

those injured, at least two were considered to be “serious.”296 The serious injuries were to a female

medic and a ten-year-old. Palestinian officials have also reported that the Israelis targeted a Red

Crescent ambulance.297

September 7 September

Health officials said that in total, at least 189 Palestinian protesters suffered wounds and

injuries, including 15 children.298 A seventeen-year-old was shot in the chest and killed by Israeli

forces in the eastern Gaza Strip.299 Another seventeen-year-old was shot and wounded by Israeli

288 Id. 289 Id. 290 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 291 Id. 292 Id. 293 Id. 294 Id. 295 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 296 Id. 297 Id. 298 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 299 Id.

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forces near the city of Rafah, and at least 70 other protesters were treated in area hospitals

throughout the day.300

8 September

A seventeen-year-old succumbed to his injuries after being shot by Israeli forces the day

prior. 301 Israeli army opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two

young protesters.302

14 September

On the 25th Friday of the protests, three protesters were killed, and at least 248 protesters

were wounded.303 At least one twelve-year-old child was shot and killed in northern Gaza near

Jabalia.304 A twenty-one-year-old protester was shot and killed the southern district, and another

twenty-one-year-old was shot in the chest by an Israeli sniper in the middle district near al-

Bureij.305

15 September

A sixteen-year-old protester died in Khan Younis from prior injuries he first sustained in

early August.306

17 September

An Israeli warplane targeted two young Palestinians late at night near the border fence in

the southern Gaza Strip.307

300 Id. 301 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 302 Id. 303 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 304 Id. 305 Id. 306 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 307 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67.

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18 September

The bodies of two Palestinians, ages eighteen and a twenty-one, were found dead near the

border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.308 A statement by the Israeli army acknowledged a

targeted attack on a group of suspicious terrorists at the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.309

20 September

An Israeli sniper shot a fifteen-year-old Palestinian in the head, near the southern Gaza

strip in the east end of Rafah.310

21 September

More than 10,000 people gathered at multiple locations along the border fence.311 The

Israeli army said that people were hurling explosives and burning tires at Israeli troops and that

they responded with live fire and other attacks in Gaza.312 More than 300 people were wounded,

and 54 people were shot with live ammunition.313 A twenty-five-year-old was shot in the stomach

near Gaza City and later died from his injuries.314

28 September

On the 27th Friday of the protests, at least 506 people were injured and at least six people

were killed, including two children.315 One eighteen-year-old Palestinian was killed during the

protests. Another eighteen-year-old was killed in Khan Younis.316 Two other unidentified

Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire.317 An Israeli sniper shot a fourteen-year-old in a fatal

308 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 309 Id. 310 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 311 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 312 Id. 313 Id. 314 Id. 315 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 316 Id. 317 Id.

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blow near the middle district of Gaza close to al-Bureij.318 A twelve-year-old boy was shot in the

head during protests east of Khan Younis, and he later died from his injuries.319

October 3 October

Demonstrations continued along the northern border of Gaza where 24 Palestinians were

injured, and at least one teenager was killed.320 Israeli soldiers fired a tear gas canister towards a

fifteen-year-old Palestinian who later died from the head wound.321 A spokesperson for the Israeli

military stated that soldiers fired live rounds of ammunition.322

5 October

At least three Palestinians were killed, including one minor child.323 Israeli sniper fire killed

a twelve-year-old near the border fence.324 At least 192 people were wounded, including a

paramedic and a journalist.325 A twenty-four-year-old and a twenty-eight-year-old were shot and

killed.326

12 October

At least seven Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces.327 At least 252 Palestinians were

wounded—154 of whom were targeted with live ammunition.328 Of the seven deaths, one

seventeen-year-old and one eighteen-year-old were killed during the ongoing protests.329

318 Id. 319 Id. 320 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 321 Id. 322 Id. 323 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 324 Id. 325 Id. 326 Id. 327 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 328 Id. 329 Id.

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19 October

On the 30th Friday of the protests, no Palestinian fatalities were reported.330 Live

ammunitions fired by Israeli soldiers wounded at least 130 Palestinians, including 25 children.331

26 October

Israeli forces fired live bullets and rubber-coated steel rounds at Palestinians along the

border fence, which killed least five Palestinians and wounded at least 170 people.332

28 October

An Israeli air strike in the southeastern Gaza Strip killed three Palestinian teenagers,

including two thirteen-year-old and one fourteen-year-old boys.333

29 October

A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces during the ongoing protests along the Israeli

separation fence east of Gaza.334

November 2 November

Israeli troops opened fire on protesters and wounded seven people.335 Egyptian-led

mediations were accredited with lowering tensions during one of the least fury-filled Fridays

throughout the protest.336

330 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 331 Id. 332 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 333 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 334 Gaza Protests: All the Latest Updates, supra note 67. 335 Gaza Border Protests More Subdued as Egypt Pushes for Calm, REUTERS, (2 Nov. 2018),

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-protests/gaza-border-protest-more